As an editorial board, we typically weigh in on National and international issues when they in some way connect back to Texas. Over the weekend, though, we all learned of the incursions into Israel by Hamas, including an attack on a music festival and the taking of hostages, and counterattacks on Gaza by Israel --- with death tolls in the hundreds. Also, in Afghanistan, an earthquake in the Herat province has killed more than 1,000 people. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this violence and disaster.
Last week, we met with three leading candidates for mayor and are in the midst of considering all that what we're learning, not just from the screening but their records and what they've said in other contexts. As has often been the case in Houston's mayoral races, the candidates tend to focus on the basics --- public safety, infrastructure and city services such as trash pickup. In our Sunday editorial, we make the case that what Houston needs is a mayor who can get those basics done and who can inspire all of us around bold ideas. While private enterprise has typically defined Houston's trajectory, there's also a time and need for mayors who can rally "this great city in support of a vision — a tangible, workable vision."
Did you know that "op-ed" is not an abbreviation of "opinion editorial"? Rather it stands for "opposite editorial" and originates from page layouts that put an opinion by someone outside the newspaper opposite of the editorial board's. Last month, we endorsed Proposition B, which would require Houston to withdraw from the regional planning body --- the Houston-Galveston Area Council --- if it does not give more voting power to areas with larger populations. In a new op-ed, former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett argues for a vote against the proposition. Read both and make up your own mind.
Also, check out the piece by Guy Hagstette and Elizabeth Love about ways to boost public investment in parks. Both of them are greenspace masterminds who have played roles, through various institutions, in signature projects such as Discovery Green and Bayou Greenways. In this piece, they're focused on the everyday parks in neighborhoods across Houston such as Burnett Bayland Park in Gulfton and Margaret Jenkins Park in Sunnyside.
As always, let us know your thoughts with a letter to viewpoints@houstonchronicle.com.
- The Editorial Board
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